Erie man faces trial in assault, rape of woman

An Erie man accused of assaulting and raping a woman during a domestic incident in November has been ordered to stand trial on an additional charge in the case.

Charles F. Bennett, 41, was held for trial on charges of aggravated assault, rape, unlawful restraint and theft by unlawful taking following his preliminary hearing before Erie 6th Ward District Judge Dominick DiPaolo on Tuesday afternoon. A charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse that prosecutors added during the hearing was also held for trial.

Bennett, of the 400 block of East Sixth Street, remains in the Erie County Prison on $50,000 bond. He is accused of repeatedly punching the woman, raping her and keeping her in a closet at a residence on West 30th Street on Nov. 24.

Police said Bennett also took the woman's 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, according to court documents.